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Chloe has been an amazing role model for Lola. Instead of letting our unplanned pregnancy stop her from getting her degree and making a life for herself, she persevered. Head held high, she took life as it was thrown at her and kept moving forward.
I only wish I had been as strong as her when life came crashing down around us.
Lookingdown at the time again, I keep pacing back and forth. Chloe needs to hurry up or I won’t be able to do it before I have to leave for work.
ME: Where are you? I thought you were going to meet me this morning. I’m getting worried.
She promised she would be here.
There’s a well-worn path beneath my feet by the time I finally give up and decide to leave for work. Digging through my pockets, I pull out the first piece of paper I find and write her a note, leaving it on the bench where I’m sure she’ll find it.
One final glance back before I disappear into the tree line and there’s still no sign of Chloe. Something has to be wrong. She would never stand me up. It’s not like her.
Racing to work, Willy calls me into his office as soon as I cross the threshold.
“Sorry I’m late,” I say, my breathing still ragged from my run.
“Do you have a good excuse?” he asks, never looking up from the paperwork in front of him. His desk is always covered in stacks of paperwork but today, there is twice as much as normal and he’s twice as irritated.
“I was supposed to meet Chloe this morning, but she didn’t show. I lost track of time waiting,” I lie.
“I need you to help Eddie with a few things this morning. I’ll be in here most of the day, so you’ll also have to take any runs we need to make.”
I hate being the one stuck going out all the time, but it seems like a bad time to discuss that with Willy. I want to stay in the garage more and learn as much as I can about mechanics. Going on runs takes away my time to learn.
“Sure thing,” I reply. “Is everything okay?”
“Depends on your definition of okay,” he says dryly. “Get to work, Wyatt. Eddie’s waiting.”
Closing his office door behind me, I drop my things in the back room and go in search of Eddie. My phone chimes a few hours later from across the room but I’m in the middle of replacing a tire and can’t stop to check it.
It’s probably Chloe, letting me know what’s up.
I’ll have to give her shit later for making me late.
There’s only one other time she’s stood me up, and that was out of her control. Her parents decided to hold her captive, forcing her to attend some fancy dinner party with them. At least she sent me a text, though. This time she didn’t even do that.
Did she forget?
That doesn’t seem like her either. She the one always reminding me about plans we make.
Maybe her parents held her up. She said that the only time she really sees them is at breakfast and dinner. They always eat together as a family. I get it, that’s really nice and all, but how long does it take to eat a piece of toast and some eggs?
Not long enough to make me wait thirty minutes.
There has to be something else going on.
As I pull the garage doors closed for the night, my back begins to ache and I feel like I’m about to fall asleep on my feet. We had more work than two people should have been able to handle today, but we got it all done.
Grabbing my phone, I slide my finger across the screen to see ten missed texts from Jones.
JONES: Call me.
JONES: Seriously, we need to talk.
JONES: Where are you?
JONES: Your mom said you’re at work. Meet me at the bar after you get out of work.
